Hilo this port is not so pretty, looked more like a industrial park. No shops or bars close by, town just too far away to walk. Sure wish they would stop in Kona,much nicer and everything (town) is right there, we like it much better, although it is a "tender" port. We took a cab to Richardson (black) beach did some snorkeling and saw several pretty fish varieties. It started raining about 2:30 like we new it would, but enjoyed the beach earlier.

Beautiful, wish we had stopped longer just kind of breezed by...Time really flies on these Islands too much to see, too little time ...

Hanauma Bay Rating:

Our tour covered several mainstays, we had a nice driver knowledgeable and a good singer. Sure wish we could have "snorkeled" @ Hanuamu Bay, so cool ! Great photo stops and it only took 3 1/2 hrs. Had a real delay disaster at Hilo Haties in town. Waisted 90 min. waiting for their shuttles that were supposed to come by every 20 min. and take us to Waikiki, NOT !Finally got to the beach at 2:30 overcast, breezy & 68, not a good beach day even in Hawaii, nuts ! Off to the Int'nl. Marketplace for some shopping and then back to the ship by 5pm. Aloha Tower shops feeling the economic downturn most shops closed and out of business,sad.

Island Tour Rating: Not Rated

Overall very nice, it covered a large portion of the Island and only took up 3 1/2 hrs.Great driver, good personality & very knowledgeable.

Pali Outlook Rating:

Beautiful even though we had a high overcast sky, hopefully I got some nice photos ?

Loved cruising up the Wailua River to some great Hawaiian songs and dances, beautiful setting, staff on the boat very cordial ! Unfortunately the main path up to the cave "FERN GROTTO" has been shut off and you don't get that close to it anymore,sad! Just not the same, but enjoyed the staff of 3 sing the beautiful Hawaiian Wedding Song ...

Although Lahaina Maui is a tender, we had our best overall time there. The weather was great the best of the entire cruise, 80 & sunny. Walked over to "Baby's Beach" 15 min. left of town. Well worth the effort, great protected cove, clear warm water but not too many fish. I swam 100 yards out in only 5 ft. of water, but only saw 3 varieties, about a 15/20 fish, but great beach and views of the ship & coastline. Walked around the bustling town, shopped and had a great Hawaiian (local) beer there.

Brief stop in Mexico due to maritime law. The sun finally came out as we approached the coastline after a rough night at sea. We met up with our Phoenix gals and walked into town with peddlers and small children trying to sell us everything under the sun. I must have given out 10/15 dollar bills to the the little one's saying no gracias everywhere we went, including the "place" everyone goes to "Pappas & Beer". We had a watered down $8 margarita, should have ordered a Pacifico, but it was fun sitting outside listening to some actual "music" rock n roll and no TV / M>U.T.S.